Chapter 7: Shanze Wilderness - Trust Not Lightly

"In the depths of Yunmengze?"

Xu Sui furrowed his brows. He knew that Yunmengze was a gathering place for demonic beasts, and the deeper one ventured, the more dangerous it became, especially when accompanied by a group of strangers.

This was evidently a highly risky matter.

"I understand the risks involved. If successful, each participant will receive a tempered jade pill as a reward," Zhang Jing explained. He knew that enticing others to take risks required offering substantial rewards, and he had presented conditions that no Foundation Establishment cultivator could refuse – the tempered jade pill.

According to the market prices at Treasure Pavilion, a tempered jade pill was currently valued at around one hundred middle-grade spirit stones. Its function was simple – when a Foundation Establishment cultivator broke through the Core Formation stage, it had a certain probability of improving the quality of the Core Formation.

It should be noted that the nine grades of Core Formations had different characteristics. The lower three grades were virtual cores, possessing the lifespan of a Core Formation cultivator but limited combat strength compared to the Foundation Establishment stage. Without a fortuitous encounter, reaching the Nascent Soul stage in this lifetime was hopeless.

If news of a Foundation Establishment cultivator beheading a Core Formation cultivator spread in the cultivation world, the core formed would likely be virtual.

The middle three grades were real cores, commonly known as Core Formation cultivators.

The upper three grades were golden cores, and those who achieved the golden core were considered exceptional talents. Among them, a first-grade golden core was something even the sons and daughters of the sects' sacred grounds might not be able to attain.

Although the probability of the tempered jade pill improving the quality of the Core Formation was not high, it was the most likely elixir for Foundation Establishment cultivators to obtain.

Anything beyond that – heavenly treasures and rare materials – was out of reach for ordinary cultivators without full sect support.

"Since there's a tempered jade pill as a reward, friend, you can simply issue a commission in your own name. There's no need to specifically seek me out," Zhang Jing suggested.

"Trust not lightly in the Shanze Wilderness."

This was not Zhang Jing's disdain for independent cultivators as a disciple of a major sect. He knew that not everyone in Mount Luofu was good, and not everyone among independent cultivators was bad.

However, as the saying goes: with sufficient food and clothing, one understands honor and disgrace; when the granary is full, one knows etiquette.

Only when a person is well-off can they pursue higher goals. The disciples of Mount Luofu had a sect stipend and had established their own network. If they committed crimes, they risked destabilizing their current stable lives.

On the other hand, wandering independent cultivators had no psychological burden in killing and fleeing. This was why Zhang Jing did not trust them.

"Recently, I've been observing in the market. However, witnessing a friend like you beheading ten demonic beasts in a day without a speck of dust on your clothes is truly a first. Please do not decline," Xu Sui said.

As a disciple of the Dan Furnace Peak, Zhang Jing could easily find someone to act as a bodyguard with his connections. However, the depths of Yunmengze were too dangerous. If Zhang Jing casually found a few Foundation Establishment cultivators to accompany him, the question would be whether they protected Zhang Jing or vice versa.

Therefore, for the past few days, he had been observing in the market. A person who could kill a Foundation Establishment demonic beast and several Qi Refinement demonic beasts in a single day was someone he found worthy.

Xu Sui had only arrived in the market at noon today, and by evening, he had already killed a Foundation Establishment demonic beast and nine Qi Refinement demonic beasts. The speed was truly terrifying.

What surprised Zhang Jing even more was that Xu Sui showed no signs of battle, and there was no trace of depleted spiritual energy. This indicated that the opponent had a solid foundation and formidable killing power.

Of course, Zhang Jing also considered whether Xu Sui had taken elixirs or possessed magical treasures or spiritual artifacts for protection.

However, as he followed Xu Sui and observed him negotiating prices with the market vendors, haggling over a low-grade spirit stone as if he wanted to split it into two, Zhang Jing understood that Xu Sui indeed had the ability.

"If you're not interested in the tempered jade pill, I can convert it into spirit stones for you or exchange it for equivalent elixirs," Xu Sui suggested.

"Let me consider."

"If you agree, come to the Autumn Leaves Tower in the market at noon tomorrow. After the meal, we'll enter the Yunmengze together."

Zhang Jing watched Xu Sui leave, and the curiosity in his eyes only increased.

If he remembered correctly, the Sword Inquiring Peak currently only had two disciples – one with a mixed spiritual root and one unable to cultivate. There was no way to connect the current person with them.

Does this mean that the other person has had some extraordinary encounters?

On the other side, Xu Sui hastened his pace back to the Sword Inquiring Peak. Honestly, he was quite tempted by the tempered jade pill. After all, he had already shown signs of forming a Core. If he had the tempered jade pill, he might have a chance to form a golden core in the future.

Considering the progress of his junior sister's cultivation, it was evident that she aimed for a first-grade golden core. As her senior brother, he couldn't fall too far behind.

As Xu Sui approached the bamboo forest of the Sword Inquiring Peak, a familiar aura reached him. He was momentarily stunned before quickening his pace. Not far away, he saw a woman in a moon-white dress by the pond, explaining something to Xie Yusu.

"Master, you've come out of seclusion so quickly?"

"There was a slight change, so I came out of seclusion. On the contrary, you've made significant progress. Come, let me take a look at you."

Regarding the incident where her stockings were stolen, leading her to not dare to enter seclusion rashly, Li Qingyi naturally wouldn't mention a word. At the same time, she was delighted that Xu Sui had entered the Foundation Establishment stage.

Li Qingyi opened her storage pouch, and a stream of green light shot towards Xu Sui swiftly until it stopped in front of him.

"This sword is called Green Silk. It was a flying sword I used in my early years. If you find the name delicate, you can change it."

"Master giving a sword to me, how could I change its name?"

Xu Sui reached out and gently touched the flying sword in front of him. There were no traces left by Li Qingyi's early years. As new spiritual energy was infused into it, he gradually established a connection with it.

At the same time, Xu Sui also felt that this flying sword was not an ordinary magical treasure; it was a spiritual treasure.

Compared to magical treasures, the most significant difference in spiritual treasures was that a wisp of spirituality on them could communicate with the cultivator's mind, allowing them to use it like an extension of their body, fully unleashing their strength.

Above spiritual treasures were treasures with nurtured spirits, carrying the laws of heaven and earth, known as Dao weapons.

 Beyond that were the legendary immortal treasures left by immortals.

Those things were clearly beyond the reach of a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Xu Sui, but Li Qingyi giving him a spiritual treasure flying sword already indicated her high regard for him.

"Regarding Yusu's matter, I roughly understand it. Suddenly gaining the ability to cultivate does require an explanation to other peaks. Tomorrow, I will take her away from Mount Luofu for a few days. When we return, we can publicly announce that her strange illness has been cured, and then we can request additional resources from the main peak."

It could only be said that people are closer when they share the same roof. Li Qingyi's thoughts were similar to Xu Sui's. With the monstrous talent of Xie Yusu, she intended to demand an increased allocation of resources from the main peak for the Sword Inquiring Peak.

With Xie Yusu's talent, if the main peak refused, it would be equivalent to openly suppressing the Sword Inquiring Peak. This was not a good thing for Mount Luofu, which considered itself on the right path. Therefore, this matter was unlikely to encounter much resistance.

"Tonight, come to my bamboo pavilion. I will teach you the Dao of Swordsmanship and impart to you the Shangxiao Sword Art."

The Shangxiao Sword Art was the foundation of the Sword Inquiring Peak. Li Qingyi had not taught Xu Sui earlier for two reasons. Firstly, considering Xu Sui's mediocre aptitude, learning the Shangxiao Sword Art would be too much for him, and breaking through the Foundation Establishment stage was the most urgent task. Secondly, she wanted to observe Xu Sui's character more closely.

Now, ten years had passed, and Xu Sui had achieved Foundation Establishment. Breaking through to the Core Formation stage in a short time was unlikely, so it was the right time to cultivate the Shangxiao Sword Art and enhance his combat power.

At the same time, it was also an affirmation of Xu Sui's character. Although Xie Yusu had good aptitude, Li Qingyi was not familiar with her character, so she was cautious about imparting the technique.

In simpler terms, people have different degrees of closeness.

For Li Qingyi now, her relationship with Xu Sui was closer, so she naturally chose to impart the Shangxiao Sword Art to him first.